Light-based data encoding and/or decoding device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a data-coding apparatus that includes: a data-input line for receiving input data; a data scrambler having light sources coupled to the data-input line and modulated in accordance with the input data, and light sensors that receive light from the light sources; and at least one light-sensing processor coupled to the light sources and configured so as to selectively isolate light signals received from individual ones of the light sources based on at least one control signal input into such data scrambler. The light-sensing processor is dynamically controlled by the control signal(s) so as to rearrange words within the input data according to patterns that change in real time.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/883,555, filed on Aug. 6, 2019, whichapplication is incorporated by reference herein as though set forthherein in full.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains, among other things, to systems,apparatuses, methods and techniques for coding (i.e., encoding and/ordecoding) data, e.g., for security purposes.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different data encoding/decoding approaches exist. However,improvements in such existing approaches still are desirable,particularly in relation to security, as well as speed of the codingoperation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one respect, the present invention addresses the foregoing need byproviding a light-based device that can perform parallel scrambling ofinput data (e.g., scrambling the data words, each including one or moredata bits, within a specified data block).

More specifically, one embodiment of the invention is directed to adata-coding apparatus that includes: a data-input line for receivinginput data; a data scrambler having light sources coupled to thedata-input line and modulated in accordance with the input data, andlight sensors that receive light from the light sources; and at leastone light-sensing processor coupled to the light sources and configuredso as to selectively isolate light signals received from individual onesof the light sources based on at least one control signal input intosuch data scrambler. The light-sensing processor is dynamicallycontrolled by the control signal(s) so as to rearrange words within theinput data according to patterns that change in real time.

Another embodiment is directed to a communication system, that includes:a security service server having a first network interface that isconfigured for communicating across a network; and a decoder having aninput that receives encoded data, a second network interface that isconfigured for communicating across the network, and an output thatprovides decoded data corresponding to the received encoded data. Thedecoder receives at least one code from the security service server andthen uses such code(s) to decode the received encoded data and therebyprovide the corresponding decoded data.

In any of the embodiments discussed herein (e.g., those summarizedabove):

-   -   the code(s) specify different rearrangement patterns for data        words contained in corresponding different blocks of the encoded        data;    -   the different blocks have different sizes, including different        quantities of data, and the different sizes also are specified        by the code(s);    -   the different blocks are nonoverlapping;    -   the decoder receives the encoded data across a real-time        communication channel;    -   the decoder retrieves the encoded data from a storage device on        which the encoded data previously had been stored;    -   the code(s) comprise a stream of data that includes a sequence        of descrambling codes specifying how to rearrange data words        within the received encoded data;    -   the stream of data specifies different parameters for decoding        the received encoded data;    -   the decoder uses the code(s) as a seed for a pseudorandom number        generator which, in turn, provides a pseudorandom stream of data        that includes a sequence of descrambling codes specifying how to        rearrange data words within the received encoded data;    -   the seed for the pseudorandom number generator is updated over        time by the security service server;    -   the (e.g., pseudorandom) stream of data is divided into segments        in a predetermined manner, with individual ones of the segments        specifying different parameters for decoding the received        encoded data;    -   the different parameters include definitions of blocks and        specification of the descrambling codes to be used within the        blocks;    -   the descrambling codes identify descrambling tables used by the        decoder;    -   the descrambling codes identify sequences of descrambling        functions to be used by the decoder; and/or    -   upon receiving the encoded data, the decoder submits a request        to the security service server across the network, via the        second network interface, and in response, receives the at least        one code.

The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief descriptionof certain aspects of the invention. A more complete understanding ofthe invention can be obtained by referring to the claims and thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inconnection with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following disclosure, the invention is described with referenceto the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that thedrawings merely depict certain representative and/or exemplaryembodiments and features of the present invention and are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The following is abrief description of each of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a combination block/flow diagram showing the encoding of adata stream according to a representative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the direct use of control codes from asecurity service as a control data stream.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the use of a control code from asecurity service to generate a control data stream.

FIG. 5 illustrates a control data stream divided into segments forspecifying block sizes and scrambling code for an input data stream.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an encoder/decoder according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an optical array for use in anencoder/decoder according to a representative embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to the disclosure of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/890,119, filed on Jun. 2, 2020 (the '119application), which is incorporated by reference herein as though setforth herein in full.

For ease of reference, the present disclosure is divided into sections.The general subject matter of each section is indicated by thatsection's heading. However, such headings are included simply for thepurpose of facilitating readability and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention in any manner whatsoever.

Preferred System Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 10 according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in system10 a source 12 sends, communicates or otherwise provides data to arecipient 15 via a communication channel 20. Prior to suchcommunication, however, the data to be transmitted are first encoded, incertain embodiments based on control signal(s) 24 received from asecurity service server 35, in an encoder 25. Then, at the recipient'sside, the received data are decoded, based on corresponding controlsignal(s) 29, preferably received from the security service server 35,in a decoder 30 before being provided to the recipient 15.

Although only one-way communication is shown in FIG. 1 , that depictionis intended solely to simplify the illustration by portraying just asingle instance of data transfer. In actual implementation, any givenentity can be both a source 12 and a recipient 15, either alternately orsimultaneously. Preferably, the encoder 25 and the decoder 30 arestructurally identical to each other, so that the same device can beused for encoding and/or decoding, e.g., depending only upon the typesof control and/or configuration signals provided to such device. Morepreferably, an encoder/decoder (25 and/or 30) according to the presentinvention preferably is, or includes, a general-purpose or aspecial-purpose processor (as discussed in greater detail below),programmed or otherwise configured to perform the steps described forsuch a device herein.

Also, it is noted that the communication channel 20 can be (or include)a real-time communication channel (or network), such as a radio-signallink, an optical link, a local area network, a wide area network and/orthe Internet. In addition, or instead, communication channel 20 can be(or include) a storage device, e.g., that can be used by the recipient15 to retrieve, on demand, data that previously have been stored by thesource 12.

In the present embodiment, one purpose of the encoding/decoding insystem 10 is to provide security for the data communicated throughchannel 20. For this purpose, in certain embodiments a security serviceserver 35 provides the code(s) 24 to the encoder 25 and the preferablycorresponding code(s) 29 to the decoder 30, for use in the correspondingencoding/decoding operations. As discussed in greater detail below,depending upon the particular embodiment, these codes 24 and 29 can be:

-   -   identical to each other, or one can be derivative of the other;    -   provided either directly or indirectly to the corresponding        devices 25 and 30; and/or    -   provided on a one-time basis, updated periodically or        transmitted continuously.

It should be noted that the decoding code(s) 29 preferably are providedby the security service server 35 to the decoder 30. However, ratherthan being provided by the security service server 35 to the decoder 30,in certain embodiments the encoding code(s) 24 are generated by thesource 12's encoder 25 (or other hardware associated with the source12), and then: (i) such code(s) 24 are provided to the security serviceserver 35, or (ii) the source 12 provides other information to thesecurity service server 35 that is sufficient for the security serviceserver 35 to generate the decoding code(s) 29.

Also, depending upon the particular embodiment, the code(s) 24 and/or29, e.g., are provided: (1) by the security service server 35 on anautomated basis (e.g., on a regular or periodic basis, which can beparticularly useful in connection with real-time communications); and/or(2) upon request (e.g., with the decoder 30 requesting the correspondingdecoding code(s) 29 when it is ready to decode particular, e.g.,pre-stored data, e.g., based on an identification code embedded orotherwise included within such data and/or by also submitting anidentification code associated with the decoder 30 and/or a largerdevice of which it is a part). In any event, additional security oftencan be achieved by limiting the devices to which the code(s) 24 and/or29 are provided.

One representative embodiment of the processing performed by encoder 25is shown in FIG. 2 . Here, a stream of input data 50 is received by theencoder 25 from the source 12.

Initially, in step 52 encoder 25 divides this data stream 50 into a setof blocks, resulting in a divided data stream 54. In the presentembodiment, the data blocks are contiguous and non-overlapping. However,in alternate embodiments, at least some of the adjacent blocks at leastpartially overlap each other, e.g., as discussed in greater detailbelow. Also, in the current embodiment, the blocks are non-uniform inwidth (i.e., with different blocks typically having different lengths orsizes, or containing different quantities of data). However, inalternate embodiments, uniformly sized data blocks are used. Each suchblock contains a corresponding number of data words (e.g., a fixednumber for blocks of uniform width or a variable number for blocks ofnon-uniform width, in either case, e.g., within a range of 10-1,000 suchdata words within each block). In the current embodiment, each such dataword has the same length (e.g., a fixed length of 1-1,024 bits each) asthe others. However, in alternate embodiments, the data words haveunequal lengths (e.g., varying lengths within a range of 1-1,024 bitseach). Depending upon the particular embodiment, each of the foregoingparameters may be established in advance (e.g., predetermined or basedon user settings) or else may be established (e.g., on the fly) based onthe code(s) 24 provided by the security service server 35 (e.g., toprovide varying levels of security).

Each of the foregoing variations (and combinations of such variations)has different advantages that will be desirable in a correspondinglydifferent situation. In the current embodiment, the size of each blockis determined by such code(s) 24, while the length of each data word isfixed in advance and identical across all blocks. Similarly, in thecurrent embodiment, the decision to use nonoverlapping data blocks hasbeen established in advance.

As a result of these design choices, in terms of data-structureparameters, in the current embodiment a stream of control data 34(shown, in relation to different embodiments, in FIGS. 3 and 4 )specifies just the sizes of the data blocks, for use in dividing theinput data stream 50 into data stream 54, along with the scramblingcodes for such data blocks. As shown in FIG. 3 , in one set ofembodiments control data stream 34 is provided directly by securityservice server 35, i.e., sent by security service server 35 as codes 24.In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , a single code 24 is providedby security service server 35, either on a one-time basis or updated ona relatively infrequent basis, and that code 24 (or each new code 24) isused as a seed for a pseudorandom number generator 37 which, in turn,provides a pseudorandom stream of data that is used as control datastream 34. In the preferred embodiments, pseudorandom number generator37 uses any one of the conventional cryptographically securepseudorandom-number-generation techniques. The resulting control datastream 34 in this embodiment preferably is then divided into segmentsaccording to a predetermined segmentation approach, known to both theencoding side and the decoding side, in order to provide the desiredcontrol information.

For example, in the current embodiment, in which the only additionalinformation specified are the block sizes of the input data stream 50,each such data block might be permitted to have a size of 10-137 words,i.e., 128 possibilities that can be represented by 7 bits. As a result,pseudorandom block sizes can be obtained by simply dividing the controldata stream 34 into sequential 7-bit segments, such as shown in FIG. 5 .Then, the first 7 bits in the control data stream 34 are deemed torepresent the size 36 of the first block of input data stream 50, thesecond 7 bits represent the scrambling code 39 for the first block, thethird 7 bits represent the size 36 of the second block, the fourth 7bits represent the scrambling code 39 for the second block, and so on.The most straightforward way to identify block size in this example isto simply add 10Base 10 to the binary number represented by thecorresponding 7 bits. However, any other method instead may be used.Also, it should be noted that, in alternate embodiments, the block sizes36 and scrambling code 39 have different bit lengths.

Similarly, if additional control information is desired, it too can bepseudo-randomly specified by dividing up the resulting control datastream 34 in a different predetermined manner. That is, the sameapproach can be used with regard to any desired control signals, i.e.,having fixed segments of the data stream 34 representing differentparameters, e.g., block size (if variable), amount of block overlap (ifany), word size (if variable), rearrangement code(s) (specifying how thedata words within the block are to be scrambled or rearranged), etc. Ifboth the encoder 25 and the decoder 30 use the same data stream 34 andinterpret it according to the same pattern, effective communications(e.g., encoding/decoding) can occur. This is a useful approach,particularly when the data stream is pseudo-randomly generated.

In alternate embodiments, rather than using fixed-length blocks, thedata stream provided by security service server 35 includes headers toidentify the types of codes that are being presented. This alternateapproach typically is best suited to real-time communications of thecontrol data stream 34 from the security service server 35.

As will be readily apparent, generating the block sizes and/or othercontrol information as a pseudorandom stream based on a single code 24(which may be updated from time to time) usually is preferable becausesuch an approach does not require a real-time connection to securityservice server 35, as well as involving far less transfer of dataoverall. Nevertheless, in some embodiments it might be preferable toprovide such a continuous stream of data from security service server 35to the encoder 25, e.g., for additional security.

As indicated above, the control data stream 34 preferably includesdifferent kinds of codes. Depending on the particular embodiment, suchcodes within control data stream 34 specify, e.g.: i) how the datastream is to be divided up into blocks (e.g., identifying a block widthBW for each of a specified number of blocks); ii) the word length WLwithin each block; iii) whether and to what extent the blocks overlapeach other (e.g., for each block, the number of words it overlaps withthe preceding block, which can be referred to as the overlap length OL);and iv) the pattern to be used for scrambling the words within eachblock, which can be referred to as the scramble pattern SP. In certainembodiments, such codes are provided sequentially for each block, in arepeating pattern, such as BW1, WL1, OL1, SP1, BW2, WL2, OL2, SP2, . . ., where the subscript denotes the corresponding block number.Alternatively, any of these parameters might be fixed across all blocksand specified just at the beginning of the control data stream 34, orpermanently fixed so that there is no need to specify a value for suchparameter(s) within control data stream 34.

As noted above, in certain embodiments, all of this information isstreamed in real time by security service server 35. In otherembodiments, the information is provided as a random data stream (e.g.,generated in accordance with one or more seed codes provided by securityservice server 35), e.g., with the decoding pattern established inadvance. For example, in one embodiment, the random data stream isdivided into fixed-length words (having a pre-specified bit length),with the first 50 words specifying the lengths and amounts of overlapfor the first (or next) 50 blocks and the next 50 words specifying therespective scrambling patterns for such blocks, with this patternrepeating indefinitely so as to encompass any number of 50-blocksegments, and with the random data stream transitioning to a new datastream each time a new seed code is received from security serviceserver 35.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , it is noted that in still furtherembodiments, data-stream-segmentation step 52 is omitted entirely orsimply uses existing segmentation within the stream of input data 50.This might be the case, e.g., where the original data stream 50previously has been divided into blocks, such as frames of audio data orblocks of image data. Depending upon the particular embodiment, in suchcases, the processing according to the present invention either usesthese existing blocks or re-divides the data stream 50 into blocks ofother sizes (uniform or non-uniform).

Next, in step 55 encoder 25 scrambles or rearranges the data wordscontained within each block of the divided data stream 54. A sampleblock 56, shown in FIG. 2 , illustrates this operation. Block 56includes N words (e.g., each representing a different code or parameter,such as any of BW, WL or SP for a given block), labeled sequentiallyfrom 1 to N. Based on the scramble codes 39 within control data stream34 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5 ), those words are (preferablypseudo-randomly) rearranged within the block, resulting in an encodedblock 58. As shown in FIG. 5 , in the current embodiment the scramblecode 39 for each block immediately follows the code 36 for that block'slength in the control data stream 34. In the preferred embodiments, thedata words within different blocks in the original divided data stream54 are rearranged or scrambled in a different ways (i.e., differentword-scrambling patterns applied to different blocks).

As indicated above, in the preferred embodiments a separate code 39 isprovided for each block 56 of data in the input data stream 50,specifying how the words within that block 56 are to be scrambled. Suchdata scrambling in step 55 can be performed in any of a variety ofdifferent ways based on the provided code 39. Probably the most directis to predefine a set of scrambling tables, one corresponding to eachunique code 39, with each such table specifying how the data wordswithin the corresponding block 56 to which the code 39 applies are to berearranged. For example, for fixed-sized blocks, each including 100 datawords, in this embodiment each such table can be implemented as a randomor pseudorandom arrangement of the numbers 1 to 100, with the number inthe first position indicating the location to which the first data wordin the input data stream 50 is to be moved, the number in the secondposition indicating the location to which the second data word in theinput data stream 50 is to be moved, and so on. A benefit of thisapproach is that it can be very fast and straightforward to implement.However, such an approach can require a significant amount of storagefor all the scrambling tables that are intended to be used and can bedifficult to implement when different data blocks 56 have differentsizes.

Accordingly, in alternate embodiments, the scrambling pattern isgenerated on-the-fly based on the scrambling corresponding scramblingcodes 39. One approach in this regard is to define a set of elementalscrambling functions and then use each block's scrambling code 39 todetermine which ones to apply to that block.

For instance, one elemental scrambling function is to swap every odddata word with the data word immediately following it (so that word 1 isswapped with word 2, word 3 is swapped with word 4, and so on). Moregenerally, a scrambling function can be defined such that each data wordat position N is swapped with the data word at position N+k, where k isan arbitrarily specified integer, and where the data words within eachblock 56 are deemed to wrap for purposes of this operation, so that,e.g., if k=2, then the last word in the block 56 is swapped with thesecond word in the block 56. Each such elemental scrambling function canbe defined so that once a word has been swapped it is not swapped againin that function (e.g., so that if word 1 is swapped with word 3, thenthe function does not subsequently swap word 3 with word 5. In otherembodiments, a single word can be swapped multiple times when performingthe function.

Other potential functions include, e.g.: shifting the entire string ofwords by k position(s) to the right; shifting the entire string of wordsby k position(s) to the left; and/or performing a predefinedrearrangement operation (e.g., using a predefined scrambling table) onconsecutive smaller sub-blocks within the overall block 56. In anyevent, in the current embodiments, a sequence of elemental scramblingfunctions is defined, and then such elemental scrambling functions areapplied in the corresponding order, except that each is applied if thecorresponding bit of the scrambling code 39 for the current block 56 is1 (and is not applied if the corresponding bit is 0). Preferably, inorder to handle the data words at the beginning and/or end of the block56, simple data wrapping or any other predefined approach is used withrespect to position indexes that otherwise would exceed the range of theblock 56.

It is noted that this approach can be implemented by actuallysequentially applying the applicable elemental scrambling functions, asspecified by the scrambling code 39, to the data words in thecorresponding block 56. Alternatively, a scrambling table can begenerated on-the-fly by sequentially applying such applicable elementalscrambling functions, and then that resulting scrambling table is thenapplied to the corresponding current block 56. This latter approach canbe particularly useful, e.g., in connection with the embodimentdescribed below in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 .

Once encoded in accordance with the present invention, the data streamis made available to the recipient 15 via communication channel 20which, as noted above, can comprise a real-time communication channeland/or a storage medium. Upon receipt, based on the control data stream34 generated from code(s) 29, decoder 30 first performs step 52, inorder to divide the incoming data stream into the same blocks that wereused by encoder 25, and then performs step 55 to descramble the datawords in each block, using rearrangement patterns that are the reverseof those used by encoder 25. Because essentially the same information isbeing used in the decoding process, the control data stream 34 generatedfrom code(s) 29 preferably is identical or complementary to the controldata stream 34 generated from code(s) 24). If identical, step 52 indecoder 30 is identical to step 52 in decoder 25, and either: pre-storeddescrambling tables in decoder 30 are the reverse of the scramblingtables used in encoder 25; or the elemental descrambling functions usedin decoder 30 are the reverse of the elemental scrambling functions usedin encoder 25, and they are performed in the opposite order (with thescramble code 39 being read in the reverse order to identify whichelemental descrambling functions to apply). If complementary, thecorresponding information is extracted from code(s) 29 an/or theresulting control data 34 in order to perform such identical divide instep 52 and such reverse data-word rearrangement operation(s).

As noted above, codes 24 and 29 are related to each other, and bothpreferably are updated over time by security service server 35, so thatdecoder 30 uses the code 29 to decode information that has been encodedusing the corresponding code 24. For additional security, in thepreferred embodiments codes 24 and 29 are encrypted, e.g., using anyconventional technique.

Representative Encoders and Decoders.

One embodiment of a coder 70 is now discussed in reference to FIGS. 6and 7 . A coder 70 may be used as the encoder 25 or the decoder 30.Structurally, the encoder 25 and the decoder 30 are identical in thisembodiment. Only the processing performed by each varies somewhat, asdiscussed in greater detail elsewhere herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a coder 70 used in this embodiment. Itsinput line 75 is coupled to the signal source 12 and provides the inputsignal that is to be processed by coder 70. Optionally, the input signalfirst is processed by an input format converter 78 (which, dependingupon the specific embodiment, is implemented with a special-purpose or aprogrammed general-purpose processor) in order to match the inputsignal's format to that used by scrambler 80, typically as specified bycontrol signals 34 (which in turn are generated by code(s) 24 if coder70 is being used as encoder 25 or by code(s) 29 if coder 70 is beingused as decoder 30). In this regard, block scrambler 80 (discussed ingreater detail below) typically has a fixed or maximum block size, andthe control signals 34 are used in certain embodiments to specify thelength and/or starting point of each block 56 be processed by scrambler80 (e.g., as discussed above).

More specifically, in the current embodiment the input signal (providedon input line 75) is a serial bitstream, and the input format converter78 functions as a configurable serial-to-parallel converter, groupingstrings of bits or words into blocks, which are then output in parallelto be processed by scrambler 80. The data blocks output by scrambler 80optionally are then converted into a desired output format (e.g., aserial data stream in the present embodiment, in order to match theformat of the input signal) by output format converter 87, before beingprovided to output line 88.

In the current embodiment, scrambler 80 includes a set 82 of lightsources (each preferably including one or more light-emitting diodes anda processor, e.g., for modulating the signal provided to the LED) and aset 84 of light-sensing circuits (each preferably including a lightsensor and a processor for processing the received light so as toisolate the light from a single light source). Preferably, coder 70includes at least 25, 50, 75 or 100 light sources 82 and light sensors(or light-sensing circuits 84), typically, the same number of each.Individual light sources within set 82 preferably are distinguishable,e.g., by color or with their corresponding processors causing them touse different modulation parameters (such as in any of the waysdescribed in the '119 application), e.g., in a predetermined manner orbased on one or more of the control signals 34 and/or one or moreconfiguration signals 85.

In the preferred embodiments, the configuration signals 85 are used toset any or all of the parameters discussed above, e.g., whether theblock widths are fixed or variable, whether the word lengths are fixedor variable, whether the blocks overlap each other, etc. In suchembodiments, the configuration signals 85 preferably are set by the user(typically on the encoding side and input through a user interface)and/or by the security service (and provided by its server 35).

In the current embodiment, individual light-sensing circuits within set84, or the processors associated with them, are configured (e.g., in apredetermined manner or based on one or more control signals 34 and/orone or more configuration signals 85) to process light received fromjust one of the light sources (e.g., as also described in the '119application), filtering out light received from the non-selected lightsources. By dynamically controlling the light-sensing circuits withinset 84, the data words broadcast by the set 82 of light sources arerearranged according to patterns that are able to change in real time.That is, in the current embodiment, each light-sensing circuit 84 is, inreal time, provided with a code telling it which light source 82 toreceive from, with each light-sensing circuit 84 receiving from adifferent light source 82 at any given time, and with the patterncorresponding to the scramble code 39.

In a more-specific embodiment, each of the sets 82 and 84 is configuredas a two-dimensional array 95 of elements 97 (i.e., light sources orlight sensors, respectively), as shown in FIG. 7 . According to thisembodiment, a two-dimensional array 95 of light sources 82 is disposedin parallel to a two-dimensional array 95 of light sensors orlight-sensing circuits 84, so that each light-sensing circuit 84 iscapable of receiving light from all of the light sources 82. However,using, e.g., any of the techniques described in the '119 application,the output from each sensor 84 is filtered so as to pass only the signalfrom the single light source 82 that has been designated to such sensor84. Again, these designations preferably can be changed on-the-fly inreal time, as specified by the control signals 34 and/or theconfiguration signals 85.

Different variations in the above-described embodiments also arecontemplated. For instance, in certain embodiments individual lightsources 82 are driven by distinct data words within the input dataprovided on input line 75. In alternate embodiments, individual lightsources 82 are driven by partially overlapping data words within suchinput data, thereby providing some amount of redundancy, e.g., for errordetection and/or correction.

Similarly, in certain embodiments individual light-sensing circuits 84include a single light sensor and a single processor that filters thereceived light from such light sensor to isolate the signal from asingle light source 82. In alternate embodiments, individuallight-sensing circuit(s) 84 include a single processor for multiplelight sensors, and that single processor isolates the signals frommultiple light sources 82 by processing the signals provided from suchmultiple light sensors.

The foregoing system can be used to scramble word lengths of any size.In the preferred embodiments, each light source 82 modulates andbroadcasts its assigned word, and then a new block of data, containing aword for each light source 82, is supplied in parallel to the set oflight sources 82, each then modulating and broadcasting the new dataword assigned to it, and so on.

System Environment.

Generally speaking, except where clearly indicated otherwise, all of thesystems, methods, modules, components, functionality and techniquesdescribed herein can be practiced with the use of one or moreprogrammable general-purpose computers. Such devices (e.g., includingany of the electronic devices mentioned herein) typically will include,for example, at least some of the following components coupled to eachother, e.g., via a common bus: (1) one or more central processing units(CPUs); (2) read-only memory (ROM); (3) random access memory (RAM); (4)other integrated or attached storage devices; (5) input/output softwareand circuitry for interfacing with other devices (e.g., using ahardwired connection, such as a serial port, a parallel port, a USBconnection or a FireWire connection, or using a wireless protocol, suchas radio-frequency identification (RFID), any other near-fieldcommunication (NFC) protocol, Bluetooth or a 802.11 protocol); (6)software and circuitry for connecting to one or more networks, e.g.,using a hardwired connection such as an Ethernet card or a wirelessprotocol, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), Bluetooth, a 802.11 protocol, or anyother cellular-based or non-cellular-based system, which networks, inturn, in many embodiments of the invention, connect to the Internet orto any other networks; (7) a display (such as a a liquid crystaldisplay, an organic light-emitting display, a polymeric light-emittingdisplay or any other thin-film display); (8) other output devices (suchas one or more speakers, a headphone set, a laser or other lightprojector and/or a printer); (9) one or more input devices (such as amouse, one or more physical switches or variable controls, a touchpad,tablet, touch-sensitive display or other pointing device, a keyboard, akeypad, a microphone and/or a camera or scanner); (10) a mass storageunit (such as a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or any other typeof internal storage device); (11) a real-time clock; (12) a removablestorage read/write device (such as a flash drive, a memory card, anyother portable drive that utilizes semiconductor memory, a magneticdisk, a magnetic tape, an opto-magnetic disk, an optical disk, or thelike); and/or (13) a modem (e.g., for sending faxes or for connecting tothe Internet or to any other computer network). In operation, theprocess steps to implement the above methods and functionality, to theextent performed by such a general-purpose computer, typically initiallyare stored in mass storage (e.g., a hard disk or solid-state drive), aredownloaded into RAM, and then are executed by the CPU out of RAM.However, in some cases the process steps initially are stored in RAM orROM and/or are directly executed out of mass storage.

Suitable general-purpose programmable devices for use in implementingthe present invention may be obtained from various vendors. In thevarious embodiments, different types of devices are used depending uponthe size and complexity of the tasks. Such devices can include, e.g.,mainframe computers, multiprocessor computers, one or more server boxes,workstations, personal (e.g., desktop, laptop or tablet) computersand/or smaller computers, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs),wireless telephones (e.g., smartphones) or any other programmableappliance or device, whether stand-alone, hard-wired into a network orwirelessly connected to a network.

In addition, although general-purpose programmable devices have beendescribed above, in alternate embodiments one or more special-purposeprocessors or computers instead (or in addition) are used. In general,it should be noted that, except as expressly noted otherwise, any of thefunctionality described above can be implemented by a general-purposeprocessor executing software and/or firmware, by dedicated (e.g.,logic-based) hardware, or any combination of these approaches, with theparticular implementation being selected based on known engineeringtradeoffs. More specifically, where any process and/or functionalitydescribed above is implemented in a fixed, predetermined and/or logicalmanner, it can be accomplished by a processor executing programming(e.g., software or firmware), an appropriate arrangement of logiccomponents (hardware), or any combination of the two, as will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art. In other words, it iswell-understood how to convert logical and/or arithmetic operations intoinstructions for performing such operations within a processor and/orinto logic gate configurations for performing such operations; in fact,compilers typically are available for both kinds of conversions.

It should be understood that the present invention also relates tomachine-readable tangible (or non-transitory) media on which are storedsoftware or firmware program instructions (i.e., computer-executableprocess instructions) for performing the methods and functionalityand/or for implementing the modules and components of this invention.Such media include, by way of example, magnetic disks, magnetic tape,optically readable media such as CDs and DVDs, or semiconductor memorysuch as various types of memory cards, USB flash memory devices,solid-state drives, etc. In each case, the medium may take the form of aportable item such as a miniature disk drive or a small disk, diskette,cassette, cartridge, card, stick etc., or it may take the form of arelatively larger or less-mobile item such as a hard disk drive, ROM orRAM provided in a computer or other device. As used herein, unlessclearly noted otherwise, references to computer-executable process stepsstored on a computer-readable or machine-readable medium are intended toencompass situations in which such process steps are stored on a singlemedium, as well as situations in which such process steps are storedacross multiple media.

The foregoing description primarily emphasizes electronic computers anddevices. However, it should be understood that any other computing orother type of device instead may be used, such as a device utilizing anycombination of electronic, optical, biological and chemical processingthat is capable of performing basic logical and/or arithmeticoperations.

In addition, where the present disclosure refers to a processor,computer, server, server device, computer-readable medium or otherstorage device, client device, or any other kind of apparatus or device,such references should be understood as encompassing the use of pluralsuch processors, computers, servers, server devices, computer-readablemedia or other storage devices, client devices, or any other suchapparatuses or devices, except to the extent clearly indicatedotherwise. For instance, a server generally can (and often will) beimplemented using a single device or a cluster of server devices (eitherlocal or geographically dispersed), e.g., with appropriate loadbalancing. Similarly, a server device and a client device often willcooperate in executing the process steps of a complete method, e.g.,with each such device having its own storage device(s) storing a portionof such process steps and its own processor(s) executing those processsteps.

Additional Considerations.

As used herein, the term “coupled”, or any other form of the word, isintended to mean either directly connected or connected through one ormore other elements or processing blocks, e.g., for the purpose ofpreprocessing. In the drawings and/or the discussions of them, whereindividual steps, modules or processing blocks are shown and/ordiscussed as being directly connected to each other, such connectionsshould be understood as couplings, which may include additional steps,modules, elements and/or processing blocks. Unless otherwise expresslyand specifically stated otherwise herein to the contrary, references toa signal herein mean any processed or unprocessed version of the signal.That is, specific processing steps discussed and/or claimed herein arenot intended to be exclusive; rather, intermediate processing may beperformed between any two processing steps expressly discussed orclaimed herein.

As used herein, the term “attached”, or any other form of the word,without further modification, is intended to mean directly attached,attached through one or more other intermediate elements or components,or integrally formed together. In the drawings and/or the discussion,where two individual components or elements are shown and/or discussedas being directly attached to each other, such attachments should beunderstood as being merely exemplary, and in alternate embodiments theattachment instead may include additional components or elements betweensuch two components. Similarly, method steps discussed and/or claimedherein are not intended to be exclusive; rather, intermediate steps maybe performed between any two steps expressly discussed or claimedherein.

Unless otherwise clearly stated herein, all relative directions (e.g.,left, right, top, bottom, above, below) mentioned herein in relation toan article are from the perspective of the article itself and,therefore, are consistent across different views.

Where a specific value is mentioned herein, such a reference means thatvalue or substantially that value, which includes values that are notsubstantially different from the stated value, i.e., permittingdeviations that would not have substantial impact within the identifiedcontext. For example, stating that a continuously variable signal levelis set to zero (0) would include a value of exactly 0, as well as smallvalues that produce substantially the same effect as a value of 0.

In the preceding discussion, the terms “operators”, “operations”,“functions” and similar terms refer to method or process steps or tohardware components, depending upon the particularimplementation/embodiment.

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the disclosureexplicitly set forth herein or in the accompanying drawings, on the onehand, and any materials incorporated by reference herein, on the other,the present disclosure shall take precedence. In the event of anyconflict or inconsistency between the disclosures of any applications orpatents incorporated by reference herein, the disclosure most recentlyadded or changed shall take precedence.

For purposes of the present disclosure, any explicit or implicitreference to any data items being included within the same databaserecord means that such data items are linked together or logicallyassociated with each other. Also, except to the extent clearly andexpressly indicated to the contrary, references herein and/or in theaccompanying drawings to information being included within a database,or within different databases, are not to be taken as limiting; rather,such references typically are intended to simplify and/or more clearlyillustrate the subject discussion, and in alternate embodiments any orall of the referenced information can be distributed across any numberof database structures, as is well-understood in the art.

Unless clearly indicated to the contrary, words such as “optimal”,“optimize”, “maximize”, “minimize”, “best”, as well as similar words andother words and suffixes denoting comparison, in the above discussionare not used in their absolute sense. Instead, such terms ordinarily areintended to be understood in light of any other potential constraints,such as user-specified constraints and objectives, as well as cost andprocessing or manufacturing constraints.

In the above discussion, certain methods are explained by breaking themdown into steps listed in a particular order. Similarly, certainprocessing is performed by showing and/or describing modules arranged ina certain order. However, it should be noted that in each such case,except to the extent clearly indicated to the contrary or mandated bypractical considerations (such as where the results from one step arenecessary to perform another), the indicated order is not critical but,instead, that the described steps and/or modules can be reordered and/ortwo or more of such steps (or the processing within two or more of suchmodules) can be performed concurrently.

References herein to a “criterion”, “multiple criteria”, “condition”,“conditions” or similar words which are intended to trigger, limit,filter or otherwise affect processing steps, other actions, the subjectsof processing steps or actions, or any other activity or data, areintended to mean “one or more”, irrespective of whether the singular orthe plural form has been used. For instance, any criterion or conditioncan include any combination (e.g., Boolean combination) of actions,events and/or occurrences (i.e., a multi-part criterion or condition).

Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes is ascribedto a particular module or component. However, functionality generallymay be redistributed as desired among any different modules orcomponents, in some cases completely obviating the need for a particularcomponent or module and/or requiring the addition of new components ormodules. The precise distribution of functionality preferably is madeaccording to known engineering tradeoffs, with reference to the specificembodiment of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled inthe art.

In the discussions above, the words “include”, “includes”, “including”,and all other forms of the word should not be understood as limiting,but rather any specific items following such words should be understoodas being merely exemplary.

Several different embodiments of the present invention are describedabove and/or in any documents incorporated by reference herein, witheach such embodiment described as including certain features. However,it is intended that the features described in connection with thediscussion of any single embodiment are not limited to that embodimentbut may be included and/or arranged in various combinations in any ofthe other embodiments as well, as will be understood by those skilled inthe art.

Thus, although the present invention has been described in detail withregard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and accompanying drawings,it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousadaptations and modifications of the present invention may beaccomplished without departing from the intent and the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the preciseembodiments shown in the drawings and described above. Rather, it isintended that all such variations not departing from the intent of theinvention are to be considered as within the scope thereof as limitedsolely by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data-coding apparatus, comprising: (a) adata-input line for receiving input data; (b) a data scrambler thatincludes: (i) a plurality of light sources, coupled to the data-inputline and modulated in accordance with the input data, and (ii) aplurality of light sensors that receive light from the light sources;and (c) at least one light-sensing processor coupled to the lightsensors and configured so as to selectively isolate light signalsreceived from individual ones of the light sources based on at least onecontrol signal input into said data scrambler, wherein said at least onelight-sensing processor is dynamically controlled by said at least onecontrol signal so as to rearrange words within the input data accordingto patterns that change in real time.
 2. A data-coding apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the light sources are light-emittingdiodes.
 3. A data-coding apparatus according to claim 1, whereindifferent ones of the light sources are modulated using differentmodulation parameters, and wherein said at least one light-sensingprocessor selectively isolates said light signals received from saidindividual ones of the light sources also based on said differentmodulation parameters.
 4. A data-coding apparatus according to claim 1,wherein different ones of the light sources emit light of differentcolors, and wherein said at least one light-sensing processorselectively isolates said light signals received from said individualones of the light sources also based on said different colors.
 5. Adata-coding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality oflight sources is configured as a first two-dimensional array, andwherein said plurality of light sensors is configured as a secondtwo-dimensional array that is parallel to the first two-dimensionalarray.
 6. A data-coding apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a serial-to-parallel converter having an input coupled to thedata-input line and an output coupled to the plurality of light sources.7. A data-coding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aparallel-to-serial converter having an input coupled to the at least onelight-sensing processor.
 8. A data-coding apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a configuration-signal input line for receiving aconfiguration signal that specifies at least one of block width or wordlength used by said data scrambler.
 9. A data-coding apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said plurality of light sources includes at least 50of said light sources, and wherein said plurality of light sensorsincludes at least 50 of said light sensors.
 10. A data-coding apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a format converter: (a) havingan input coupled to the data-input line and an output coupled to theplurality of light sources, (b) that divides the input data into datablocks which are then provided to and processed by the data scrambler.11. A data-coding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said datablocks have different sizes.
 12. A data-coding apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said different sizes are specified by an inputconfiguration signal.
 13. A data-coding apparatus according to claim 10,wherein said data blocks are nonoverlapping.
 14. A data-coding apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a light-sensing circuit, comprising atleast one of said plurality of light sensors and said at least onelight-sensing processor, is dynamically controlled according to patternsthat change in real time.
 15. A data-coding apparatus according to claim1, wherein an output from each of said plurality of light sensors isfiltered so as to pass only a signal received from a single one of saidplurality of light sources.
 16. A data-coding apparatus according toclaim 15, wherein designations of the light sources to the light sensorsare changed on-the-fly in real time, as specified by at least one inputcontrol signal.